OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Hooksett Planning Board Meeting - December 15, 2025

Town Council & Boards — Monday, December 15, 2025
BodyHooksett, New Hampshire
SessionTown Council & Boards
DateMonday, December 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Verbally interrupt me just touch me and then I'll catch the property.

0:03

We'll keep going straight down that road until you get to the bomb room.

0:06

That was a long meeting.

0:07

All right, good evening, everyone.

0:09

Welcome to the meeting of the planning board for Monday, December 15th.

0:14

Um if everyone could uh rise for the pledge.

0:20

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:26

One nation under God, individual indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:33

And if the members could introduce themselves, starting with Jim.

0:36

Uh Jim Sullen, Council Rep.

0:38

Robert Duane.

0:39

Mike Summers, Jared Williams.

0:42

That's it.

0:43

Okay.

0:44

With that, uh first order of business is Mr.

0:46

Gas, Meridian Land Services, 36 West River Road, conceptual discussion.

0:52

Would you like to uh approve minutes?

0:54

Sure.

0:56

I'm just rolling right along.

0:58

That's right.

0:58

It is we have we don't have it on there, so yeah.

1:01

Uh so we're so uh yeah, do we want to want to approve minutes?

1:05

So I'll make a motion to uh approve uh the planning board minutes from December 1st, 2025 with the fall.

1:16

I will second that.

1:17

Okay, yeah, and then you can make the amendment.

1:19

Yes.

1:19

Okay.

1:19

So my discussion.

1:21

Yep.

1:21

So my my amendment is line three zero five, just a correction on Chris Stelmax's I.

1:28

Not A, yeah.

1:30

And then we had three other corrections.

1:34

So line 325, we're gonna strike that number five.

1:37

Number of employees should not be limited to.

1:39

There was no restriction, there was no um restriction on that.

1:45

Um line three twenty-six.

1:47

We're gonna strike full and part-time.

1:50

So number of students shall not exceed 32.

1:53

And was there was there any one other yes?

1:56

The hours on line 324.

1:58

Okay, yep.

1:59

Um, yes, you're right.

2:01

It should be from 7 a.m.

2:02

to 6 p.m., not 6 a.m.

2:04

to 7.

2:05

Thank you, sir.

2:10

Any other corrections?

2:13

All good.

2:14

Okay.

2:14

Uh all those in f favor say aye.

2:16

Aye.

2:17

Aye.

2:17

Any opposed?

2:18

One abstention.

2:19

One abstention.

2:20

All right.

2:22

Okay.

2:23

Now, appointments.

2:25

Yes.

2:25

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████65%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████7%
Procedural████6%
Transportation Safety████6%
Economic Development███4%
Public Engagement██3%
Parks and Recreation██3%
Public Safety██3%
Code Enforcement█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Hooksett Planning Board Meeting – December 15, 2025

The Planning Board convened on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 11:15 AM. The meeting included a conceptual review of a gas station redevelopment, updates on upcoming projects, occupancy reviews, and a vote on impact fee distribution. The board also discussed process improvements and zoning amendments.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval (December 1, 2025): The board approved the minutes with three corrections: correction of a name spelling (line 305), striking the restriction on number of employees (line 325), striking "full and part-time" (line 326), and correcting operating hours from 6 AM–7 PM to 7 AM–6 PM (line 324). The motion passed with one abstention.

Discussion Items

  • Conceptual Discussion – Mr. Gas, 36 West River Road:

    • Applicant Meridian Land Services (represented by Doug Broder) presented a site plan amendment to demolish the existing convenience store and add four pump islands (total eight pumps) under the existing canopy, doubling the number of pumps. The new 4,300 sq ft store would include a 1,000 sq ft Dunkin’ Donuts with a single-lane drive-thru and a bypass lane.
    • Proposed improvements: new concrete chamber septic system with aerobic treatment for Dunkin’ Donuts, replacement of underground fuel storage tanks with double-walled fiberglass tanks, modifications to the infiltration basin, and a dumpster enclosure at the rear.
    • Board questions focused on:
      • Access: A new right-turn-only entrance on the north side was encouraged by NHDOT District 5. Existing wide pavement would be formalized with an island.
      • Canopy: The existing canopy (circa 1989) would be retained; structural analysis required.
      • Fuel truck access: Concern that a fuel truck delivering to the tanks (proposed near the drive-thru lane) could block traffic; board suggested relocating tanks to the front of the property.
      • Parking: Five spaces over the minimum, considered appropriate for Dunkin’ Donuts.
      • Landscaping and architectural standards: The building must meet town standards; the canopy may need aesthetic upgrades.
    • The board noted the site is in the Groundwater Resource Conservation District and wellhead protection area, requiring DES review.

  • Planner Updates:

    • Site walk for 325 Hackett Hill Road scheduled for January 17, 2026 at 10 AM; the corresponding public hearing moved to February 2, 2026.
    • Land Use Subcommittee meeting on December 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM to discuss zoning amendments proposed by Manchester Sand (rezoning sold properties from Mixed Use 5 to Low Density Residential or Industrial), Alden Bocheman (reduce septic system setbacks from 25 ft to state minimums), and John D. Batetto (amendments on conservation subdivisions, frontage, 55+ developments, etc.).
    • The board discussed the need to limit warrant articles; currently four articles are proposed (ADU changes, performance zone, commercial zone, Mixed Use 1).

  • Occupancy Reviews:

    • Barrett Insurance: Converting to a massage parlor – permitted use, parking compliant.
    • Backyard Products: Adding sheds and outdoor storage behind existing building, not visible from road.
    • Seacrest Tire Barn (formerly car wash): Adding tire services and two parking spaces; storage containers on site need permitting clarification.
    • Community Surgical Supply (units D & E at 35 Londonderry Turnpike): Warehouse for surgical supplies – noted as a change from previous electrical supply approval.

  • General Discussion:

    • The board addressed confusion about when applications need Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) review. Members emphasized the importance of obtaining zoning relief before planning board review. The conceptual review process (relatively new) was praised for identifying issues early. A suggestion to add a formal design review stage for larger projects was raised and will be scheduled for future discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Impact Fee Distribution (600 Technology Drive): The board voted unanimously to distribute $25,000 in advance impact fees equally: $12,500 to public safety and $12,500 to road improvements.
  • Minutes Approved: With corrections as noted (one abstention).
  • Motion to Adjourn: Passed unanimously.

Next Steps: The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 5, 2026, which will include site plan reviews for Marman Aerospace (255,000 sq ft addition, 210 new employees) and Amazon, as well as potential zoning amendment discussions.

Meeting Transcript

Verbally interrupt me just touch me and then I'll catch the property. We'll keep going straight down that road until you get to the bomb room. That was a long meeting. All right, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the meeting of the planning board for Monday, December 15th. Um if everyone could uh rise for the pledge. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, individual indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And if the members could introduce themselves, starting with Jim. Uh Jim Sullen, Council Rep. Robert Duane. Mike Summers, Jared Williams. That's it. Okay. With that, uh first order of business is Mr. Gas, Meridian Land Services, 36 West River Road, conceptual discussion. Would you like to uh approve minutes? Sure. I'm just rolling right along. That's right. It is we have we don't have it on there, so yeah. Uh so we're so uh yeah, do we want to want to approve minutes? So I'll make a motion to uh approve uh the planning board minutes from December 1st, 2025 with the fall. I will second that. Okay, yeah, and then you can make the amendment. Yes. Okay. So my discussion. Yep. So my my amendment is line three zero five, just a correction on Chris Stelmax's I. Not A, yeah. And then we had three other corrections. So line 325, we're gonna strike that number five. Number of employees should not be limited to. There was no restriction, there was no um restriction on that. Um line three twenty-six. We're gonna strike full and part-time. So number of students shall not exceed 32. And was there was there any one other yes? The hours on line 324. Okay, yep. Um, yes, you're right. It should be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., not 6 a.m. to 7. Thank you, sir. Any other corrections? All good. Okay. Uh all those in f favor say aye.

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